I feel the need to implore my friends here, from the bottom of my heart and soul, to purchase Fair Trade labeled chocolate for their loved ones this year.

It is bitterly ironic that a product which brings most of us joy is the product of such agony and abuse.  I found out about this a little over a month ago and have been struggling to purchase only fair trade chocolate.  I don't eat as much chocolate, it's true, but I feel nothing but sickness and sadness in my heart when I consider purchasing chocolate that is not certified Fair Trade.

"There is a surprising association between chocolate and child labor in the Cote d'Ivoire. Young boys whose ages range from 12 to 16 have been sold into slave labor and are forced to work in cocoa farms in order to harvest the beans, from which chocolate is made, under inhumane conditions and extreme abuse. This West African country is the leading exporter of cocoa beans to the world market. Thus, the existence of slave labor is relevant to the entire international economic community."

You can read more at the link below.  PLEASE, my friends, make sure that when you are purchasing chocolate, you are not supporting child slave labor.